§ COLONEL WARING(for Mr. MACARTNEY) (Antrim, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Royal Commission on Irish Public Works are carrying out works for the drainage of the Rivers Barrow, Bann, and Shannon; whether various schemes for the drainage of these rivers were put before the Royal Commissioners by Irish engineers; whether the works now being carried out are a modification of these schemes; whether any engineer has 708 been appointed to carry out these works; and, if so, whether by or without competition; whether he or his principal assistants have any connection with, or previous knowledge of, Ireland; and, if not, whether they have any special qualifications; and, whether the Government will provide that in any future public works, to be carried out through the Commission or otherwise, a fair proportion of the work be given to Irish Engineers?
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)(who replied) said: Measures, based generally on the recommendation of the Royal Commissioners, are being taken by Government in regard to the Barrow, Bann, and Shannon. Various schemes for dealing with the Barrow were submitted to the Royal Commission by engineers and others; and a certain amount of evidence of a similar character was given in regard to the Bann. The recommendations, however, of the Commission were independent of such schemes, and rested on their own responsibility, after hearing evidence and considering the various schemes before them. Two members of the Commission were themselves engineers of large experience. A hydraulic engineer has been appointed to develop in detail the recommendations of the Royal Commission. This gentleman is by descent an Irishman. He was selected without competition, as having special experience of hydraulic work. All his engineering assistants are Irishmen. The Government are desirous to employ Irishmen on Irish business wherever practicable.